Community Partnership Day 2019

Giving back to support those in need in our local communities

May 3 was Novartis' annual Community Partnership Day. On this day and in the weeks that followed, around 100 Sandoz Canada employees participated in a variety of volunteer activities to help local organizations. 

For several days, it was all hands on deck for many teams in different community organizations. This was Sandoz Canada’s fifth annual participation in the Community Partnership Day, an initiative launched over 20 years ago by its parent company, Novartis. The energy and joy of actively lending a hand to those in the community who need it was palpable. 

One team helped out at La Croisée de Longueuil’s Jardin Solidaire by tilling the soil and planting vegetables that will then be in part offered to Longueuil families in need and the remainder sold to raise funds for La Croisée.

A second team spent a day at École secondaire de Mortagne in Boucherville weeding and preparing the flower beds and creating spaces for vegetable gardens. Harvested herbs and vegetables will be served in the cafeteria this fall for all students to enjoy!

The principal of École secondaire de Mortagne, Daniel De Angelis, was very moved by this initiative: “Thanks to all of your volunteer employees, this project was a great success; it would not have been possible without the presence of all the wonderful people who gave so generously of their time. As you've probably already been told, this is an invaluable gift you've given us.”

Other employees helped out at Source Bleue in Boucherville. This non-profit organization houses adults in the terminal stages of their illness, free of charge, in order to provide them with a warm and humane environment. Employees spent part of their day clearing a space for a Zen garden and cleaning and restoring the centre's patio. They also washed the facility's windows and painted them to add the final touch.

When the floods hit the Montréal area, our employees quickly mobilized to help the population and emergency services in the Île Bizard area contain the water by filling sand bags. Their efforts resulted in about 50 pallets of 20 to 30 sandbags each that were used this year or were stored for next year in case such an unfortunate event occurs again.

“It was incredible to see the impact of the flooding on the homes in the Île Bizard area, and it was very humbling to be able to support in a very concrete and direct manner. Along with the Sandoz team on site, we met hard-working dedicated volunteers from the city, Red Cross and companies, who were all united by the same cause in supporting the community. We are grateful that the Novartis/Sandoz culture embraces the opportunity to help and support those in need,” said Johanne Laganière, Executive Assistant, Scientific Affairs.

One of our goals at Sandoz is to give back to society. By coming together and putting the full potential of our employees to work during the Community Partnership Days, we achieved this objective. What's more, our employees came out happy and enriched from the joint effort and the positive results.

Click here to learn more about our community support initiatives around the world.